Hello and welcome to the Newcastle United live blog for Wednesday, November 28.

Newcastle secured a third successive win after defeating Burnley at Turf Moor - thanks to a Ben Mee own goal, and Ciaran Clark header.

United dug in during the second half under intense Clarets' pressure to preserve their victory and jump into 13th in the Premier League ahead of the visit of West Ham on Saturday, which will see plenty of talk of a new contract for Rafa Benitez and more.

A Premier League spokesperson told BBC Sport Wolstenholme will remain in hospital for a few more days for observation.

17:59

Paul Woolston gets Man Utd profile

The ex-Toon keeper signed for the Red Devils this summer

17:46

Javi Gracia commits to Watford

A new four year deal for him

17:17

Eddie Wolstenholme talking after Monday night collapse

Referees’ assessor Eddie Wolstenholme is talking in hospital after collapsing before Burnley’s game with Newcastle on Monday, report the BBC.

He will remain in hospital for more observations but is expected to be discharged in a couple of days.

16:53

Rondon

Doing some community work for the foundation. Always good to see

16:47Mark Douglas

Why are NUFC fans always protesting?

Interesting piece from Birdy.

16:05

Kevin Nolan to get a new job offer

AFC Wimbledon set to offer him the job in League One

15:56

PODCAST!

We’ve recorded a new Podcast! Andrew Musgrove, Chris Waugh, Mark Douglas discuss Peter Kenyon, a takeover, Newcastle’s win, Matt Ritchie, and just how good were Ki and Mo Diame?

15:37Mark Douglas

NUFC training: Shelvey and Lascelles back

Good news from training as NUFC release a gallery of pictures here. Lascelles, Shelvey, Muto and Sterry all trained today - along with Karl Darlow. So just Paul Dummett missing at the moment.

14:49

Gary Lineker on how the MOTD running order is chosen

He told Danny Baker’s Behind Closed Doors podcast:

“It’s not out of my hands completely. Obviously it’s the editor’s choice. He makes the ultimate decision and the nature of the show.

“But every single week he’ll ask me and we’ll discuss it and sometimes fiddle about with it a bit. But on Saturday night, for example, we were watching the 3pm games and Fulham got their first win, Ranieri was in charge and it was 3-2. We thought that would lead the show but we’d still got Tottenham-Chelsea to come later on.

“At the end of Tottenham-Chelsea he (the editor) said let’s stick with Fulham’s first victory and I said ‘I’m not sure, editorially that’s the right. I think we’ve got third v fourth, it’s a big London derby and Tottenham played brilliantly’. In the end he agreed with me and we switched.

“If the editor had said ‘No, we’ll stick with Fulham’ I’d have said absolutely fine.”

14:15

Robbie Keane retires

The legendary Irish striker has hung up his boots which made us wonder what his record against Newcastle was like over the years.

Turns out he didn’t enjoy playing against Newcastle too much.

In 17 games, he won just five, losing the other 12. And he managed to score just five goals against the Magpies in his entire career.

Robbie Keane (Image: PA)

14:10

Pellegrini's thoughts ahead of NUFC trip

The West Ham boss said after the 4-0 defeat to Man City:

I think we gave our all to beat them and we didn’t lose the game because it was Manchester City.

“We created as many chances as they did but they scored and we didn’t.

“I am not happy about the goals we conceded, it is difficult to understand how we conceded such easy goals, but I am happy about our spirit and the way we played from the first minute to the last, and the fact the players always believed they could win.

“It doesn’t matter if you are playing against Manchester City, if you are mark the way we did in our box then you can play against a second division team and they would score too.

“They didn’t score beautiful goals because they are Manchester City, anyone would score those goals.

“Most of the game was played in their half and they had nine or ten players around their box to try and ensure they did not concede a goal, and their goalkeeper made more saves than our goalkeeper.

“Our next seven games are against teams who are around us in the table and we must try to add as many points as we can, but it doesn’t mean they will be easy games.”

13:57

Win tickets for the West Ham game

Sponsors Fun88 are running a competition

13:28

David Edgar on his next career move

He’s linked to SAFC and in the Burnley match day programme on Monday evening he said:

(I’m) Still very much a player. It’s been a re-building year after an injury and I have bounced around North America but I’m still serious about playing and hopefully I’ve got a couple of things coming up in the next week or so.

“Beyond that, I’m doing my coaching badges and that’s something I want to get into, particularly around the Canada set-up.”

13:28

That's all for the Q&A folks

Thanks for joining us. Make sure you stick around though for all the latest news throughout the rest of the day.

13:01Chris Waugh

Q: Is Rafa making the right noises about his contract?

Our final question is from Simon, and it’s an interesting one. He asks: “You see Rafa every week. Does he seem to be making the right noises about a new contract?”

Rafa Benitez (Image: Newcastle United)

Rafa is a bit of an enigma; I mean that in the sense that sometimes he can be very easy to read, and at other moments he boasts such an excellent poker face that I have no idea where he stands on certain issues.

His future is something he is asked about at every single Press conference - and he is always reluctant to talk about it.

But I don’t believe that is because he has decided he is definitely leaving; I think that’s due to the fact he doesn’t want it to be the major talking point every week, and therefore prove distracting.

The problem is that it is a major talking point, regardless of whether he says much on the matter or not. The closer we get to the end of his current deal, the more concerning the situation.

Yet I think the fact he is still here, and is still talking about long-term matters, is a positive sign.

He has welcomed Ashley’s return to the scene in recent months, and Benitez does not cut the same angry and frustrated figure he did during the summer.

Rather, he continues to state that his contract is “not an issue” - and that he believes Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley understand what he wants.

Don’t get me wrong, I still think serious doubts remain over Benitez’s long-term future, but he gives me the impression he will allow the Newcastle hierarchy every opportunity to convince him to stay.

And, as long as there’s a chance he’ll remain, that has to be seen as a positive - and it is up to the powers that be to make sure he does.

12:50Chris Waugh

Q: Is the Atlanta owner trying to buy Newcastle - and is that why Almiron is a target?

Another takeover-, and transfer-, related question, this time from Daniel - who again appears to have received a tip-off. He asks: “Arthur Blank’s (Atlanta Utd Owner) name keeps getting mentioned as the head of the US Consortium trying to buy NUFC. Is this why the club is confident on getting Almiron to Newcastle?”

Miguel Almiron #10 of Atlanta United (Image: 2017 Getty Images)

Arthur Blank is a name that has been floated as someone who may be interesting in investing in Newcastle. But so have scores of names - and the difference between rumour and reality is stark.

Perhaps Blank is heading a US consortium to buy the Magpies, but it is not something that has been definitively stood up - and, as far as I understand, he is not in a position where is going to imminently purchase NUFC. So I’m sceptical about that, I’m afraid.

In terms of whether the Miguel Almiron interest comes from Blank, given that the Paraguayan is an Atlanta United player, I would doubt that is the case.

My understanding is that Newcastle have watched Almiron for more than 18 months now, and the reason they keep scouting him is because he is exactly the sort of player Benitez wants.

The Magpies manager has desired an attacking-midfielder for almost two years, and Almiron fits the bill. Crucially, given that he plays in the MLS, he is a lot cheaper than many European-based options.

I say ‘cheaper’, but that is relative to prices on this continent; Newcastle will still likely to have to spend well in excess of £15million to sign Almiron.

That’s why I’m not so sure the club are necessarily ‘confident’ about signing Almiron; if Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur do want the midfielder and bidding war follows, then Newcastle may get priced out of the market.

Almiron is certainly a player Newcastle like, but whether he turns out to be their top January transfer target remains to be seen.

12:40Chris Waugh

Q: Will any of Lascelles, Muto, Shelvey or Dummett be fit for West Ham?

Gemma asks: “Will any of Lascelles, Muto, Shelvey or Dummett be fit for West Ham? And do you think any of them will start if they are?”

Just reading the four names you have listed there, the fact that quartet missed the Burnley game just brings into even sharper focus how impressive the win on Monday was.

At least three of those Magpies would have been considered to be in Newcastle’s best XI before the start of the season - and so far any side to win a match without three key players is impressive.

In terms of whether any of them will be back this weekend, Shelvey was named on the bench at Burnley, and he will be in contention for a starting place - though, given Ki’s form, it’d be hard to drop the South Korea.

Lascelles, meanwhile, is “close” to being involved - and I think he has a good chance of making the squad, though I suspect as a substitute rather than a starter.

The same applies to Yoshinori Muto as well, although Lascelles is closer to a return than the Japan striker.

As for Dummett, he is a major doubt for this weekend. The prognosis on his hamstring injury is better than first feared, but I can’t see any way he’ll be risked on Saturday given the hectic festive fixture list ahead.

12:33Chris Waugh

Q: Will Ashley back Rafa in January?

Craig asks the question which has been on Newcastle fans’ lips ever since the summer transfer window closed: “Do you think Ashley will back Rafa in January?”

Mike Ashley, Newcastle United owner, in the stands prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium (Image: Getty Images)

The mid-season window opens in little more than a month, and Benitez is now at the stage where he is looking to whittle down his list of targets.

Whether he is given the opportunity to sign the majority of those remains to be seen, however, and it is a question that even Benitez himself cannot answer.

What struck me was that Benitez did not seem angered by the fact he would need to rely on loans. Ideally he would like to sign players permanently - but he is comfortable with loans with a view to buy, as long as they are of a certain standard.

United’s two domestic loan slots are filled up so, unless Kenedy or Salomon Rondon signs permanently, Newcastle will need to look abroad to bring in players.

I think Benitez would be happy with a couple of loan additions, as long as he is allowed to bring in a quality forward-thinking player - be that a striker or an attacking-midfielder, and they will cost big money on a permanent deal.

A club-record signing would go a long way to placating Benitez, and certainly the Spaniard needs to feel he is being backed if he is to commit his long-term future.

Like Newcastle fans, though, I fear the Magpies’ recent upturn in form could dissuade Ashley from investing come the new year. And, if he doesn’t, then that can only have a negative impact upon contract-extension talks.

12:24Chris Waugh

Q: Are Newcastle's squad players better than Rafa thought?

We have a statement-turned-question from John now: “I just want to know, how come we win when our so called star players are not fit? the skipper is out and we have been solid in defence, shelvey is out and Ki has looked brilliant on the ball with brilliant passing. Coincidence or are our bench players better than Rafa thought?”

Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey (Image: PA)

There are two ways you can look at the past month at Newcastle. One is that Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles were out of form during the first three months of the campaign, and that their absence has benefited United so they should stay out of the team.

The other view, which is the one I happen to subscribe to, is that squad members with a point to prove have stepped up and impressed - and that will only bring the best out of Shelvey and Lascelles in the coming weeks and months, too.

Benitez has always desired genuine competition for places at Newcastle since he took over; he had it in the Championship, but rarely in the Premier League.

At the moment neither Shelvey nor Lascelles, both of who have been automatic selections for two-and-a-half years, would walk into the Newcastle team if fit on Saturday.

That, in my opinion, is excellent news. Ki Sung-yueng’s form will force Shelvey to display the vision and passing range which helped Newcastle to a 10th-placed finish last season. Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar’s emergence also means Lascelles, Clark and Florian Lejeune will need to be at their absolute maximum to get a starting place.

Perhaps Benitez has stumbled across this line-up over the past few weeks, but I don’t view the developments throughout November as a negative.

Far from it. This Newcastle squad looks healthier than it has done in key positions - goalkeeper, centre-back and midfield - that it has since United were promoted.

12:16Chris Waugh

Q: Will Ashley sell to Kenyon by Christmas?

Stuart has a takeover question - and some insider knowledge, he suggests, too. He asks: “I have a very reliable source who says the sale will be done to Kenyon group before Xmas - heard anything?”

Peter Kenyon former chief executive of MUFC and CFC has been linked to takeover bid of Newcastle United. Here he is pictured on May 19, 2005.

This is not something I’ve heard, but it would certainly be a welcome Christmas present for Newcastle fans if it turned out to be true.

My understanding on where the takeover situation stands is that, although interested parties have made contact with Mike Ashley, the club remains unsold - and senior sources at St James’ Park continue to work on the basis that the billionaire will be owner for the “medium term”.

However, Ashley is notoriously guarded, and he only has a select few people within his inner circle who are briefed on such high-level discussions as a takeover. Therefore people at Newcastle may not necessarily know the degree to which any potential talks have reached.

Former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is a personal acquaintance of Ashley’s, and the pair are believed to get on well. His interest was certainly not seen as a negative by those close to Ashley, but Kenyon was told to return with an offer once he put together a consortium.

The last I heard, no official bid has been placed - and Kenyon was still attempting to source further interest from US investors.

Perhaps he has been successful and has matched asking price, but I have to be honest I’m sceptical about that.

I think Ashley will still be owner come the start of 2019 - and so Newcastle fans should make sure they don’t bank on a sale of NUFC in order to make their Christmas a merry one...

12:07Chris Waugh

Q: Will Rafa stick with five at the back for West Ham?

Daniel asks on Twitter: What do you think Rafa will do on Saturday if Dummett’s still out? Keep the back five or go back to a four and if so, who goes left-back?

(Image: Getty Images)

Rafa Benitez’s decision to play with five at the back worked a treat at Burnley - but West Ham United will offer a very different threat to the Clarets.

Whereas Sean Dyche’s side are physical and direct, West Ham will try to play through Newcastle, and so Benitez will have a different gameplan for Saturday.

On saying that, an alternative approach does not necessarily mean a different system.

If Paul Dummett is absent from Saturday’s game - and the early signs are that he probably will be - then Benitez must determine whether three centre-backs is the best way of covering for his absence.

Ciaran Clark came into the side as captain and performed well, while Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar continue to excel. What’s more, Jamaal Lascelles could yet come back into the selection reckoning, too, that I doubt he will start.

Should Benitez revert back to a four-man defence, then I will Clark will be the centre-half who loses out.

He may get shifted across to left-back, but Javier Manquillo and Kenedy will also be options there.

My gut instinct tells me it’ll be back to a 4-2-3-1 on Saturday with Kenedy shifting to left-back, but with Benitez you can never predict what he’ll do.

12:04Mark Douglas

Ian Wright on the True Geordie podcast

Should be good.

12:01KEY EVENT

Live Q&A

Hi everyone,

We’re going to be conducting a live Q&A over the course of the next 45 minutes to an hour - so, if you haven’t sent your questions in yet, then please email them across to chris.waugh@reachplc.com and I’ll try to answer as many as possible.

Let’s get started...

11:59

Red on Saturday will be Paul Tierney

It’s Paul Tierney on Saturday:

Paul Tierney will be the referee for Saturday’s Premier League clash against West Ham United (kick-off 3pm GMT).

The 37-year-old was at St. James’ Park in late August when he was referee for Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat against Chelsea.

Born in Wigan, Tierney also officiated in Newcastle’s opening game of the season, when he was referee in the Magpies’ home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

He also got his first taste of officiating in the Premier League at St. James’ Park back in 2008 where he was the assistant referee in Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat against Hull City.

On Saturday, he will be assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis and Mark Scholes while Lee Mason is the fourth official.

11:38

Ginola full transcript

Full transcript of Ginola. This was very good.

11:03

Achraf Lazaar could be a loan target for Genoa

Lazaar for Genoa? Could be back on (on loan at least) according to the Gazetta Dello Sport:

Genoa could return for Achraf Lazaar in January, as Newcastle United are ready to let him leave on loan.

The Moroccan was in Italy on transfer deadline day to join the Grifone, but the transfer collapsed and he returned to Tyneside.